St. John Chrysostom LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : Index.

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St. John ChrysostomLETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : C.2.then enough has now been said. But if it is separation from mewhich causes your despondency expect release from this. And Ihave not said this now merely to encourage you, but I am sure that itreally will be the case. For if it were not destined to happen, I shouldlong ago, so at least I think, have departed from this world,considering the trials which have been inflicted on me. For to passover all that occurred in Constantinople, after my departure thence,you may understand what sufferings I endured on that long andcruel journey, most of which were sufficient to produce death; what Iendured after my arrival here, after my removal from Cucusus, andafter my sojourn in Arabissus. Yet I have survived all these things,and now I am in sound health, and great security, so that allArmenians are astonished that with such a feeble and flimsy frameas mine I can support such an intolerable amount of cold, or that Ican breathe at all, when those who are habituated to the winter aresuffering from it in no common degree. Nevertheless I haveremained uninjured up to the present day, having escaped the handsof robbers who have repeatedly attacked us, and yet in daily want ofthe necessaries of life, and deprived of the use of a bath; andalthough since my sojourn here I have been constantly without thisluxury I am now so established in the habit that I do not even longfor the comfort to be derived from it, but am in sounder health thanbefore. And neither the inclemency of the climate, nor the desolationof the region, nor the scarcity of provisions, nor the lack ofattendants, nor the unskillfulness of physicians, nor the deprivationof the bath, nor perpetual confinement in one chamber as in aprison, and the impossibility of moving about which I always usedcontinually to need, nor perpetual contact with fire and smoke, norfear of robbers, nor a constant state of siege, nor anything else ofthis kind has got the better of me; on the contrary I am in a soundercondition of health than I was elsewhere, although I then receivedgreat care and attention.Taking all these things then into consideration pray shake off thedespondency which now oppresses you, and do not exact inordinateand cruel penances from yourself. I sent you the treatise which Ihave lately written, that "no one can harm the man who does notinjure himself," and the letter which I now send your honourcontends for the same position. I beg you therefore to go over itconstantly, and if your health permits you, recite it aloud. For if youwill, it may prove an effectual remedy for you. But if you arecontentious with me, and do not try to cure yourself, and will notrouse yourself from these dismal swamps of despondency in spite offile:///D|/Documenta%20Chatolica%20Omnia/99%20-%20Pr...i/mbs%20Library/001%20-Da%20Fare/01/ToOlympias-2.htm (6 of 7)2006-05-31 21:41:26
St. John ChrysostomLETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : C.2.the unlimited amount of advice and exhortation which you enjoy Ishall not on my part readily consent to send you frequent and longletters, if you are not to derive any benefit in the way of cheerfulnessfrom them. How then shall I know this? not by your merely sayingso, but by a practical proof, inasmuch as you lately affirmed that itwas nothing but despondency which caused this sickness of yours.Since then you have yourself made this confession I shall notbelieve that you have got rid of your despondency unless you havegot rid of your bodily infirmity. For if it is the former which causesyour disorder, as you say in your letter, it is obvious that when thathas been dispersed the other will be removed at the same time, andwhen the root has been plucked up, the branches perish with it;--andif the branches continue flowering and flourishing, and producing anunnatural amount of fruit I cannot believe that you have been set freefrom the root of your distress. Therefore do not show me words butfacts, and, if you get well, you will see letters sent to you againexceeding the limits of former communications. Deem it then nosmall consolation that I am alive, and in good health, and that in themidst of such circumstances I have been set free from sickness andinfirmity, which, as I know, is a great annoyance and vexation to myenemies. It follows therefore that you should deem this the greatestencouragement, and the crown of your consolation. Do not call yourhousehold desolate, which has now a higher place assigned to it inHeaven by reason of the sufferings which it endures. I wasgrievously distressed on account of Pelagius the monk. Considertherefore what great rewards they deserve who bravely hold theirground, when men who pass their time in such a habit of disci lineand endurance are found susceptible of degradation.file:///D|/Documenta%20Chatolica%20Omnia/99%20-%20Pr...i/mbs%20Library/001%20-Da%20Fare/01/ToOlympias-2.htm (7 of 7)2006-05-31 21:41:26
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St. John Chrysostom LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : Index.

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